Combined life-fender, wheel-guard, and brake construction.



F. HEDLEY & J. S. DOYLE.

COMBINED LIFE FENDER, WHEEL GUARD, AND BRAKE CONSTRUCTION.

- APPUCATION FlLED OCTI14, 1914- 1 83,56 1 Patented May 16, 1916.

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2 SHEETS THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPR c0.. WASHINGTON, n c

F. HEDLEY 61 J. S. DOYLE. V COMBINED LIFE FENDER, WHEEL GUARD, AND BRAKECONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 14 1914.

Patented May16, 1916.

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riter eerie.

FRANK HEDLEY, oFMoUNT VERNON, AND James S. Dorrie, or YONKEBS, NEW YORK.

COMBINED LIFE-FENDER, WHEEL-GUARD, AND BRAKE CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

Original application filed March 20, 1914, Serial No. 825,963. Dividedand this application filed October 14, 1914. Serial No. 866,612.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK HEDLEY and J AMES S. DOYLE, both citizens ofthe United States, and residing, respectively, at Mount Vernon andYonkers, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have made acertain new and useful Invention in Combined Life-Fender, Wheel-Guard,and Brake Constructions, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to combined life fender wheel guard and brakeconstructions, and particularly to such constructions of the type shown,described and claimed in our prior applications, Serial No. 792,416,filed Sept. 29, 1913, and Serial No. March 20, 1914, the presentapplication being a division of the latter.

The object of the invention is to provide a combined fender wheel guardand brake applying mechanism which is simple in construction, economicalto manufacture, easy of attachment and application to vehicles ofvarious kinds, and eiiicient in operation.

- Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination,location and rela tive arrangement of parts, all as will be more fullyhereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying-drawings and finallypointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the various views andreference signs appearing thereon, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation,parts in vertical section, showing a construction of combined lifefender and wheel guard embodying the principles of our invention,applied to the front end of a vehicle, and showing the normal'positionof the parts when ready for action. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1showing the parts in their tripped position. Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryview in perspective showing the means for supporting the auxiliary tripfender. Fig. section on the line 44, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a fragmentaryview in perspective showing the trip shaft and its associated parts.

The same part is designated by the same reference numeral wherever itoccurs throughout the several views.

In our prior application, Serial No. 792,416, above referred to, we haveshown, described and claimed a construction of coms25,9cs, filed 4 is abroken detail View inbined life fender and wheel guard wherein a lifefender is supported upon the front end of a vehicle, or upon the truckthereof, and is provided with an auxiliary trip frame or gate havingsuch arrangement and connections as to cause the wheel guard to betripped whethersaid trip gate be rocked in one direction or the other,and wherein provision is made for automatically shutting off power fromthe vehicle propelling motor and applying the brakes in case ofcollision with a pedestrian and the resultant tripping of the guard.

The present invention relates to apparatus of this same nature andembodies certain improvements therein including the combination offeatures including brake applying mechanisms which will be hereinafterset forth.

In the drawings, 10 designates the front end of a vehicle, which may bea street car, motor truck, automobile, or the like, and 11 a fenderframe, supported at its rear edge upon the vehicle. This frame extendsforwardly from the front end of the vehicle, and yieldingly supports acushion frame 12. In the form shown, the frame 12 is support ed uponsprings 13, carried by the fender the danger of such body being injuredby being thrown upon a hard unyielding part of the fender frame. Thefender frame 11 is provided with bracket arms 14, which extend forwardlyfrom the front edge thereof, and which support at their front ends a rod15 which constitutes the hinge axis of the auxiliary gate 16. Thestructure relation and function of this auxiliary gate are all the sameas set forth with respect thereto in our pending application abovereferred to. Supported by the fender frame 11 is a longitudinallyextending tubular member 17, through which works a rod 18, to the frontend of which the chain or other connections 19, respectively extend toand are connected with the auxiliary gate 16, on opposite sides of thepivotal axis thereof, whereby when said gate is rocked, whether in onedirection or the other, the rod 18 is drawn longitudinally forward. Atits rear end the rod 18 carries a pin 20 which works in an elongatedslot 21, in a rocking member 22. This rocking member is pivotallymounted intermediate its ends upon a pin or stud 23, which is mounted inthe forked arm 24, clamped upon and extending rearwardly from the fenderframe 11.

The parts so far described are all carried by or form, parts of thefender frame and the latter, as above indicated, is pivotally mounted atits rear upwardly extending end in the suitable brackets 25 carried bythe vehicle frame 10. From this it will be seen that the fender framehas only the hinged connection 26 with the vehicle frame or its truck,which is afforded by its rear edge. This enables the fender to be swungupwardly bodily about its hinge axis 26 and out of the way when it isnot required for use.

The provision of the tubular member 17 through which the rod 18 works,enables a straight pull to be exerted upon said rod 18 whenever the tripgate 16 is rocked whether in one direction or the other, therebyreducing friction and rendering the tripping action of the gate moreeasily accomplished.

Carried in suitable brackets or hangers 27, depending from the vehiclebody, is a rock shaft 28, upon which are mounted the crank arms 29, 30,31 and 32. Also mounted on said shaft is an insulatingsleeve 33,carrying contacts 341, 35 respectively, with which cooperate brushes orcontacts 36, 37, included in electrical circuits for controlling thepropelling motor and the electrical application of the brakes, as morefully explained in our former application Serial No. 719,116. The arm 32is in the form of a bell crank lever to one arm of which is connected arod 38. This rod extends forwardly into position to be engaged by therocking member or trip lever 22, when the latter is rocked by therocking movement or displacement of the auxiliary trip gate 16. Alsoengaging the rod 38, or an adjustable nut 39, thereon is the forked endof a rock member 10, said member being pivotally mounted as at 41,between the brackets or hangers 12, depending from the vehicle body. Thefront edge of the rock member 10 is formed into a bearing surface 43,which takes bearing against the rear end of the bracket 24, as clearlyshown. This arrangement affords means for automatically trip-v ping thewheel guard, presently to be more fully described, without dependingupon the rocking movement of the auxiliary gate 16. For instance itmight happen in case of collision with apedestrian or for other cause, aperson may be thrown ontothe fender frame 11, as, for instance, from theside thereof,

without rotatively displacing the trip gate 16. In such case the weightof the person thus imposed on the fender frame will cause the latter toyield downwardly in a swing- ---ing movement about its pivotal axis26,

thereby causing the rear end of the yoke member 21, to bear against thesurface 43 of member 40, and rock the latter about its pivot 41, andhence causing the forked up per end thereof to engage the adjustable nutor stop 39, on the trip rod 38 and project the latter rearwardly andendwise in the same manner as when the trip lever 22 is rocked by therod 18, the front end of the trip rod 38, being engaged against theupper end of saidtrip lever 22. The other arm of the bell crank 32 isconnected as at 418 to a rocking member 44, which is pivotally supportedas at 4:5, in the upturned rear end of frame 16, which carries the wheelguard or apron 17 WVhen the parts are in their normal positions as shownfor example in Fig. 1, the line of the axes 28, a8, and 45, makes anangle with the line of the axes 28 and 45, thereby forming, in effect, aknuckle joint, the parts being held in this relation in any suitablemanner, as for instance, by means of a spring 19, which exerts itstension on the guard frame 16 in a direction to rock the same so as tocarry the apron 47 thereof down into inclined or pick up position asshown inFig. 2. When however, the bell crank lever 32 is rockedsufliciently to carry the axis 18, below the line joining the axes 28,4:5,the trip action takes place and the tension of spring 19 becomesimmediately effective to rock the guard apron 17, downwardly. This frame416, and apron 17, is pivotally mounted as at 50 upon brackets dependingfrom the vehicle truck and thus, While the fender 11 is supported uponthe vehicle body the wheel guard is supported upon the truck, and stillthese parts are maintained in efficient cooperative relation since, asabove explained, the trip rod 38, is projected rearwardly to rock shaft28 and trip the guard 47, whether the gate 16 is rocked or whether thefender frame is depressed Without rocking the gate 16.

It may sometimes be desirable to lock the guard apron 17 in trippedposition thereby necessitating a resetting of the mechanism in or torestore the same to position ready for use. To accomplish this result weprovide the rock shaft 28, with a hook arm 52 which engages a stud 53 onthe guard frame 16, when said shaft 28 is rocked and the guard istripped, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. hen the parts are in theirretracted or set positions ready for tripping, as seen in Fig. 1, thehook arm is held retracted.

It may sometimes happen that a pedestrian is knocked down by a collisionand instead of falling into the basket of the fender 11, the body passesunderneath the fender. l: 2'

In such case the guard 17, which is tripped as above explained serves topick up the body and prevent the same from bein injured by theunderframing or wheels of the truck. In the operation of the apparatusit may sometimes occur that when the guard apron 47 properlyaccomplishes its function of picking up the body such body may roll offthe inclined surface of the tripped guard. To prevent this we providethe front edge of the guard apron with light spring strips 54, whichextend rearwardly a short distance over the front edge of the guard.These springs should be sufliciently light to prevent interference withthe pick up function of the guard but they serve to retain a picked upbody upon the apron and prevent the same from rolling off the apron whenit is oncepicked up.

After the apron is tripped it may be reset in condition for use andready to be again tripped. The resetting may be accomplished in manydifferent ways. A simple arrangement is shown wherein a rod 55, extendsinto the body of the vehicle in convenient position to be operated bythe driver, motorman or chauffeur. This rod carries an arm 56, which ispivotally connected to the arm 30 on shaft 28. By suitably depressingthe rod 55, the shaft 28 is rocked in a direction to reset the guard.

It is desirable to eifect an application of the brakes coincidentallywith the tripping of the wheel guard, while at the same time theconnections should be such that in normal operation the brakes may beapplied and released independently of the operation of the guard. Thisresult may be accomplished in many specifically different ways. We haveshown one form of apparatus for accomplishing the purpose, as aneXemplification of our invention, wherein the brake rod 57, whichapplies and releases the brakes in the well known manner is connected toan arm 58, on a rock shaft 59. On the shaft 59 is another arm 60, whichis connected by a link 61, to a brake controlling lever 62, pivotallymounted at 63 in a bracket 64. Through the operation of brake lever 62the brakes may be applied or released in the ordinary manner and withoutreference to the life guard or its operation. A third arm 65, is carriedby shaft 59. This arm is provided with a pin 66, at its end which worksin a slot 67 in a slide block 68. Connected to block 68 is a bar 69,which is provided with a shoulder 70. A detent 71, engages the shoulder7 O and holds the bar 69, against the action of a spring 74, when theparts are in their reset position ready to be tripped. The arm 29 onshaft 28, carries a pin 72, which engages the tail 73 of detent 71, whensaid shaft 28 is rocked thereby releasing the detent 71 from engagingrelation with reference to shoulder 70, thereby permitting the spring74, to project bar 69 endwise and thus rocking the brake operating shaft59, through the engagement of the pin 66 of arm 65, with the end of theslot 68, thereby setting the brakes automatically with the tripping ofthe guard, While, as above explained, the slot and pin connection of thearm and slide block 68, permits the brakes to be operated independentlyof the guard and its tripping mechanism. The automatic brake tripapparatus may be reset and the brake released in any convenient manneras, for instance, by means of a lever 75, connected to the bar 69.

It may sometimes be desired to lock the guard apron raised out ofposition for use, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, but incondition to be tripped in case of emergency by the tripping mechanismtherefor above described. lVe have shown a simple arrangement foraccomplishing this wherein a forked rocking member 76 is pivotallysuspended from the vehicle body. A spring 77, normally holds this memberin vertical position. "The end of rod 44, works through the forked endof member 76. By catching hold of the front edge of apron 47, andraising the same sufiiciently the frame 46, is rocked until the pivotstud 45, thereon rides underneath the lower end of member 76, saidmember 76, thereby forming a lock step to hold the apron 47 in raisedposition. order to release this step whenever exigency arises, that is,whenever the trip shaft 28 is rocked, a rod 78, connected to arm 31, ontrip shaft 28 is projected endwise. The free end of this rod ridesfreely through an open ing in a yoke 79, and engages against the member76, and rocks the same out of detaining position with reference to stop45, thereby releasing the guard and permitting it to trip.

It is to be understood that many variations and changes in the detailsof construction and arrangement might readily occur to persons skilledin the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of our invention.But

Having now set forth the object and nature of our invention and aconstruction embodying the features thereof, what we claim as new anduseful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination witha guard, a trip ping mechanism therefor and manually operated brakeapplying devices, of means to release said tripping mechanism, meansoperated by the tripping of the guard to automatically control saidbrake applying clevices, means to reset said tripping mechanism, andindependent means to reset the automatic brake applying devices.

2. In a combined fender wheel guard and brake apparatus, a fender, apivotally mounted guard, a tripping mechanism therefor, a control shaftfor the tripping mechanism, means carried by the fender for operatingsaid shaft to trip the guard, independently operated brake applyingdevices, means controlled by said shaft to operate said brake applyingdevices, means to reset said shaft and trip mechanism and independentmeans for releasing said brake.

3. The combination with a guard, a tripping mechanism therefor, andbrake applying devices, of means for releasing the tripping mechanism, arock shaft having crank arms one of said arms connected to the brakeapplying devices, a slotted bar, another of said arms engaging in theslot of said bar to be rocked in one direction when said bar is shiftedbut permitting independent movement of said arm in the oppositedirection, normally restrained means to move said bar, means operated bythe tripping of the guard to release said restraining means.

4:. The combination with a pivotally mounted guard adapted to be swungout of operative position, a tripping mechanism for holding the guardout of operative position, a rock shaft for operating the same, ofmanually operated brake applying devices, means for rocking said rockshaft to release said tripping mechanism to allow the guard to swinginto operative position, and means operated by the tripping mechanismwhen released to automatically operate said brake applying device.

5. In a combined fender guard and brake apparatus, a pivotally mountedguard adapted to be swung out of operative position, a

Copies of this patent may be obtained for for operating said brakeoperating device independently of said first mentioned means.

6. In a combined fender, wheel guard and brake apparatus, a pivotallymounted fender, a pivotally mounted guard adapted to be swung out ofoperative position, a tripping mechanism therefor, a brake applyingdevice, means carried by said fender, to release the tripping mechanism,torock said guard about its pivot into operative position and toautomatically operate said brake applying device.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence ofthe subscribing witnesses, on this 21st day of September A. D., 1914.

FRANK HEDLEY. JAMES S. DOYLE.

\Vitnesses H. P. TITUS, WARREN MARCUS.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,I). G.

